Suzanne Hudman stands with granddaughter Rachael Roberts at her retirement party on Wednesday, May 20, 2020.
Daughter, Jenifer Hudman, and granddaughter, Rachael Roberts, snuck into Suzanne Hudman’s classroom long before she could arrive and begin cleaning out her things.
“I’ve been coming to her classroom since I was born,” Roberts said. “I’m graduating this year, so we are both kind of graduating.”
After 50 years with Post ISD, moving across all three campuses and teaching multiple subjects, Suzanne Hudman has announced her retirement.
“She’s been an inspiration to me,” Roberts said, explaining why she decided to honor her grandmother. “I want to start teaching too.”
Besides Jenifer Hudman and Roberts, friends and coworkers of Suzanne Hudman joined, lining the halls of Post Middle School, anticipating her arrival.
“I wasn’t expecting this at all,” Suzanne Hudman said.
Reminiscing with friends and coworkers, it was obvious to everyone in the room how great of a teacher Hudman was.
“She taught me everything I knew,” Wanda Osborn said. “She knew all of the laws, what to tell the parents, how to handle the students – it was very interesting to watch her.”
Jan Bartlett, friend of 35 years and coworker of 27 years, agreed.
“It’s been amazing watching what she’s done,” Bartlett said. “She’s always had a way of calming people down. Even when she wasn’t a counselor, kids would go to her and just want to talk.”
Other coworkers turned friends, Kim Greer and Gini Smith describe Hudman as practical, logical and calm.
“She’s a jewel,” Greer said. “I’ll miss her terribly.”
Bartlett seconded Greer.
“She’s such a special friend,” she said. “There will never be another like her.”
Now that her years of teaching are over, Hudman says she is unsure of what’s next.
“I haven’t a clue as to what I’m going to do,” Hudman laughed. “It hasn’t computed yet.”
However, there is one thing Hudman is certain of.
“Some of my best memories were here,” Hudman said looking around the room. “I’ve known most of these people for 50 years and we’ve had the best times. I will keep Post and these people in my heart forever.”
